Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner
Nicholas Scoppetta today joined thousands of firefighters,
family members and friends of Firefighter James J. O’Shea
at his funeral. Firefighter O’Shea, of Ladder Company
127 in Queens, suffered a fatal heart attack at his home on
Saturday shortly after completing a tour of duty at his firehouse.

Thousands of Firefighters and Fire Officers lined the streets
outside Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church in Holbrook, N.Y.,
to pay a final tribute to their fallen brother.

O’Shea, 40, a 17-year veteran of the New York City
Fire Department suffered a fatal heart attack moments after
arriving home. He was rushed to Brookhaven Hospital where
he died a short time later. Earlier that afternoon, O’Shea
complained of feeling ill while operating at the scene of
a fire located at 141-26 77th Avenue. Fire Marshals have deemed
the blaze suspicious and are investigating.

Firefighter James J. O’Shea served the City New York
first as a New York City Police Officer and then as a Firefighter
serving in both Engine and Ladder Companies. He was awarded
a Unit Citation for his actions at an All-Hands fire in Kew
Gardens, Queens in 1995. He is the 1,126th member of the New
York City Fire Department to die as a result of injuries sustained
in the line of duty.